Hitch-pin for pianos and other string instruments



F. J. COLMUS.

HITCH PIN FOR PIANOS AND OTHER STRING INSTRUMENTS APPLICATION man. 41m.11, 1920.

"1,339,689. I V P en ed May 11,1920.

. BEL Q (QM g gins/M04 FRANK J. GOLMUS, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

HITCH-PIN FOR PIANOS AND OTHER STRING INSTRUIMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 'iiiay 11.1, 1920.

Application filed January 1'7, 1920. Serial No. 352,080.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK J. CoLMUs, acitizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city, State ofMaryland, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments inHitch-Pins for Pianos and other String Instruments, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for securing one end of the'strings ofpianos and similar musical instruments, the same con sisting of pinsaround which the strings are looped. or anchored in any otherapproved-manner, and the invention has for its object to provide a noveland improved pin by the use of which the instrument can be more readilystrung, as will be pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is hadto the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and insaid drawing Figure 1 is a plan view showing the application of theinvention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is anenlarged elevation of one of the pins, and Fig. 4 is an elevationshowing a slightly modified pin.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 denotes a fragment of some ofthe strings of a piano or similar instrument, the same being secured tothe hitch pins 6 by being looped around the same, or in any othersuitable manner. The pins 6 are not sharp at one end and they are notdriven into the pin plank 7, but the latter has holes 8 into which thepins are inserted. The pins are set slanting as usual.

Ordinary hitch pins are sharp at one end so that they may be driwn intothe pin plank 7 which is an operation involving the expenditure of muchtime and labor, as they must be accurately driven to project the properdistance from the plank. The pins are also difficult to remove it theyshould happen to break off, which is a fre quent occurrence. In order toovercome this objection, a hitch pin has been devised which can beeasily set in place and readily removed it its projecting end shouldbreak oii. This object is attained by providing the pin plank 7 with theholes 8 to seat the pins. The pins fit in these holes suiiiciently tightto prevent dropping out, but not so tight as to prevent ready removal ifnecessary. The pins are also blunt at both ends, and both ends arealike. Intermediate its ends, the pin has an abutment. Fig. 3 shows thisabutment to be two tongues 9 punched out of the body of the pin and bentoutwardly therefrom. In Fig. +2 the body of the pin has an annularshoulder 10 en circling the same, this shoulder serving as the abutment.In both instances the abutment is just midway between the ends of thepin, and the ends of the pin are alike. The pins can therefore beinserted into the holes 8 with either end entering the same, and it isnot necessary for the workman to waste any time looking at the pins andselecting the end to be inserted. The abutments serve as stops to limitthe distance the pins are to enter the holes, and hence they all projectthe proper distance from the pin plank 7.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the invention provides a verysimple and efficient expedient for facilitating the stringing otf pianosand similar musical instrunients.

I claim:

The combination with a pin plank having holes; of hitch pins adapted toseat in said holes. said pins having both of their ends rounded andalike, and having abutments intermediate their ends to limit the extentof insertion into the holes.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FRANK J. COLMUS.

